Spain calls for emergency meeting as storm death toll rises to 13

Storm Gloria left behind a trail of destruction and misery, leaving at least 13 people dead in Spain. (Credit: AFP)

The Spanish government is due to hold an emergency meeting on Friday after a violent storm tore through parts of the country, leaving at least 13 people dead in its wake.

Storm Gloria hit the Balearic Islands last weekend before striking Catalonia, Valencia, southern Murcia and Andalusia as heavy rains, gale-force winds and huge waves left behind a trail of destruction and misery.

Emergency services and residents were overwhelmed by massive flooding, overflowing rivers, collapsed bridges, damaged power and railway lines and entire beaches vanishing under the waves.

Emergency services and residents were grappling with massive flooding, collapsed bridges and damaged power and railway lines (Credit: AP)

Officials said the death toll could rise further, with four people still to be accounted for in Catalonia and the Balearic Islands.

Spain's prime minister, Pedro Sanchez, is set to coordinate disaster-response measures after having flown over some of the worst affected areas.

He told reporters: "I think what's important right now is that we're all united, that we work shoulder-to-shoulder and cooperate, as we are doing."

He added: "Meteorological phenomena we are witnessing aren't entirely due to climate change, but what is also true is that climate change is accentuating them."

The storm was accompanied by gale-force winds, heavy rains and huge waves. (Credit: AFP)

Earlier on Tuesday, the holiday resort of Tossa de Mar woke up to ocean

foam

covering parts of the town.

Floodwater made its way to the center of the popular tourist destination in Costa Brava after high waves crashed on the beach and caused seawater agitation – one of the reasons behind the creation of foam.